Abstract
Internal fixation for supracondylar fracture of the femur after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is technically difficult and troublesome because the distal bony fragment is often osteoporotic and too small to fix by screws or K-wires. In addition, the femoral component interferes with the screws or K-wires to be inserted from distal direction for fixation of the fracture.
Patients and Methods
Four knees in 4 patients (all female; average age, 81.5 +/− 2.6 years) with the fracture after TKA were treated with revision TKA. Follow-up period was between six months and 3 years postoperatively
Operative technique
All operations were performed with the patient in the supine position and using a curved anterior (Payer) approach with or without osteotomy of the tuberositas tibiae. The femoral component was removed with detachment from fractured bony fragments. New femoral component with long stem for fixation of the fracture were inserted with bone cement in each case.
Post-operative regimen
On the third postoperative day the patient began flexion and exension exercise of the operated knee joint with a rehabilitation programmed by clinical path under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The use of crutches for ambulation was begun on the 10th to 14th postoperative day, and the extent of weight bearing was allowed individually according to the stability of the fixation of the fracture. The time to full weight bearing in each patient was 3 to 8 weeks postoperatively.
Results
Postoperative courses were uneventful in all of the cases. The supracondylar fracture of the femur was rigidly fixed and healed radiographically within 8 weeks postoperatively in each case. The JOA scores were improved in all od the cases. The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores for the knees improved to 90 points postoperative. No femoral components had definite radiographic evidence of loosening and were re-revised.
Discussion
In the current study of short-term results of revision total knee arthroplasty for treatment of supracondylar fracture of the femur after total knee with osteoporosis, the component have shown to remain stable in weight bearing conditions and functioned well. Fracture healing and good clinical outcome, evaluated according to the JOA score, were achieved in all cases. Longer-term outcome should be the subject of further investigation.
Conclusion
The revision TKA was a successful method for treatment of the supracondylar fracture after TKA.
